Learning Eco System

Building a Successful Learning Ecosystem
The district is taking a three-prong approach to its tech integration plan: examining pedagogy, platform and devices. During the 2014-2015 school year, the district piloted Google Apps for Education (GAFE)- a cloud-based solution to allow students and staff to be in the same learning space at the same time. Today, there are Google Learning Teams of educators in each school, and all staff and students in grades 7-12 use GAFE. The Google platform does not require a specific device to work well – so all personalized devices are able to effectively work in this collaborative space.

In 2016-2017, the district launched Schoology, a new online platform where Mason City Schools teachers, students, and families collaborate. It allows users to create, manage, and share content. Schoology uses a cloud based storage system for managing an online classroom. Teachers use the site to use an online grade book, post discussion questions, homework, files, links, and other information. Students are able to access all class information, take quizzes and tests, upload files through an online dropbox, participate in class discussions, stay organized with a school calendar, download and print files from home, and much more. Families are able to observe their child’s assignments and calendars while staying involved in their education. Schoology has the look and the feel of Facebook with many different functions that are necessary for the classroom.